In response to rising cross border cattle rustling in the Okavango district, police have intensified efforts to crack down on syndicates and individuals involved in livestock theft incidents.
Okavango residents have long decried the high rate of stock theft in their area suspected to be perpetuated by cattle thieves from neighbouring countries which does only impoverish them but also a threat to their lives.
This as the rustlers are said to be violent and carry dangerous weapons which may harm farmers attempting to protect their livestock. Some of those terrorised have even reportedly been forced to abandon their cattle-posts and boreholes to seek refuge at nearby villages taking along their cattle to avoid losing them to the culprits.
Speaking during the Okavango District Council Chairman’ series of kgotla meetings across Okavango East recently, residents appealed for government to take the issue seriously emphasizing its threats to both their livestock and lives.
Gudigwa Village Development committee (VDC) Chairperson Kehutsitse Stern Tsima pleaded that they need more police officers to help reduce the crime around live stork by foreign nationals, especially Zambians.
Tsima said most of the elderly who were allocated livestock through government empowerment program lost them to these culprits who ride on horses stealing cattle. He added that some even pretend to be traditional doctors who ask for cattle as payment after consultations with the elderly.
In response, Seronga Police Station Commander, Tema announced that they are launching an operation that to crack down on the rampant cross border cattle rustling and he is hopeful that they will some make arrests and bring the issue under control.
For her part, District No 17 Officer Commanding, Senior Superintendent Peggy Vakalisa noted that a collaborative approach between the community and law enforcement is crucial in the fight against these cross-border crimes. She said they have realised that there are so many of these cases that go unreported.
She advised that active participation of residents in anti-stock theft committees is vital for effective prevention and swift response in the fight against stock theft.
Vakalisa indicated that they will visit different cattle posts to engage with the residents to see how they can tackle the issue. “We can only fight such issues together as a team, therefore if anyone sees or suspects that there are illegal migrants somewhere or people stealing livestock, please let the police know.”
The police boss further assured the public that going forward, the police will have frequent meeting with members of the farmers committee and borehole syndicates as another way to tackle the stock theft situation the area.
Meanwhile, Okavango District Commissioner, William Keareng has cautioned that though he understands the public’s concerns, they must however not single out and accuse a particular nation over these alleged crimes until arrests have been made so as to avoid straining relations with neighboring countries.
